228 HONEY. 



way, but in its possessing a somewhat higher 

 flavour. The same may be observed when they 

 imbibe the juices of sweet fruits, for bees do not 

 confine themselves solely to flowers and honey- 

 dewed leaves ; they will sometimes very greedily 

 absorb the juice of raspberries for instance, and 

 thus spoil them for the table ; they also visit in 

 crowds the vats of the cider and wine maker. 



Reaumur has likewise remarked, that in each 

 honey-cell there is a cream-like layer or covering, 

 of a thicker consistence than the honey itself, which 

 apparently serves to retain the more liquid col- 

 lections that may from time to time be introduced 

 under it. Messrs. Kirby and Spence say, that if 

 honey were the unaltered nectar of flowers, it 

 would be difficult to conceive how this cream 

 could be collected in proper proportions. This 

 observation is made, in consequence of their pre- 

 suming that some of this cream-like covering is 

 conveyed into the cells with each deposition of 

 fresh honey ; and it has been supposed that this 

 cream was the last portion disgorged. According 

 to an article in Rees's Cyclopaedia, probably written 

 by Mr. Polhill, this cream-like matter is formed 

 at the very first, and every addition of honey is 

 deposited beneath it. The bee, entering into the 

 cell as deeply as possible, puts forward its anterior 

 pair of legs, and with them pierces a hole through 

 the crust or cream : while this hole is kept open 



